Method of printing on web material



March 17, 1959 e. H. WOOD, JR., ET AL METHOD pr PRINTING ON WEB MATERIAL Filed July 27. 1956 INVENTORS Ge CF96 H. Wood, J1. 0/?a/'le$ Eric Ne a/e R aZ Ok E. wes

AT TORN EYS.

United States Patent 2,878,096 METHOD OF PRINTING ON WEB MATERIAL George H. Wood, .lr., East Greenwich, and Charles Eric Neale, Warwick, R. L, and Ralph Edson Hawes, New Bedford, Mass, assignors to The Apponaug Company, a corporation of Delaware Application July 27, 1956, Serial N 600,634 Claims. (Cl. 8-62) This invention is a continuation in part of our application Ser. No. 498,916, filed April 4, 1955, now abandoned, and relates to printing with colors on woven web material.

Heretoforeconventional textile roller printing even with the finest photoengraving techniques has not begun to duplicate on cloth the fine detail and continuous tone .that is achieved on paper printed with shallow engravings such as roto or photogravure engravings. Attempts have been made to use with a photogravure engraved cylinder a printing paste having an emulsified aqueous solution of adyeor dye component with a water immiscible bodying composition but without commercial success.

' To date there is only one successful method of duplicating on cloth the fine detail and continuous tone effects that are achieved on paper. This method involves a transfer print in which the pattern is firstly printed in all colors and complete detail on special paper on conventional paper printing equipment; then thewhole pattern is transferred fromthe paper to the cloth by means of'a suitable combination ofvheat, pressure and solvents; Fixation of the color on the cloth is then achieved by conventional means. This is a slow, laborious and costly process involving complex and expensive paper printing equipment, transfer equipment, paper, and the extraordinary precautions necessary when printing with inks in an inflammable all solvent system.

Our invention is a process whereby we can print direct- W on the cloth with conventional textile roller printing equipment, slightly modified, using rotoor photogravure engravings, and achieve the fine detail and continuous tone gradations of paper printing heretofore available only on cloth through the mechanism of the transfer print technique, thereby eliminating the necessity of paper printing equipment, paper, and the transfer operation.

Conventional textile roller printing equipment in e'ssence has the characteristics that a web of cloth or the Work is led through tension arrangements and laid on the surface of a fibre or fibre-rubber blanket known as a back grey or blanket which is being passed around an iron cylinder, the surface of which has beencovered with several layers of heavy fabric known as lapping. The colors forming the pattern are applied to the cloth as it passes between the nips formed by the hand engraved cylinders asthey rotate against the blanket. From thence the blanket or back grey is either washed and returned continuously or wound up separately while the cloth or work by passage through or over a drying mechanism. The

complete cycle of printing a portion of the pattern followed. by drying may be repeated as many times as necessary, to complete the pattern.

. Ourinventionhas the-characteristics that aweb of cloth ice that has a smooth surface is led through tension devices and laid on the rubber covered surface of an iron cylinder. Colors and portions of the pattern are applied to the cloth asit passes through the nips formed by the row- .or' photogravure engraved cylinders rotating against the covered surface. The cloth or work then passes through or over a conventional drying mechanism. I

Paper, by its nature, has an inherent flatness and smoothness of surface that permits very fine printed detail to show on its surface. Conversely the usual cloth by its nature presents even in its finest form a relatively coarseand' uneven surface and in most cloth constructions a much coarser and more uneven surface than paper. Consequently, the degree of printed detail possible on the usual cloth is limited conventionally by the coarsenes' of its surface.

Further, roller printing equipment for paper provides, in the form of a rubber covered cylinder, a very smooth even backing for the paper at the moment of color transfer from the engraved cylinder to the paper surface; Conversely, the roller printing for the usual cloth provides, in the form of a very coarse fabric lapping and surface textured fibre-rubber blanket or coarse fabric back grey, a relatively rough and uneven backing for the cloth at the moment of color transfer from the engraved cylinder to the cloth surface.

Consequently, the very fine detail roto-- or photogravure engravings are not used for cloth printing because the'fine detail is lost in the general coarseness of the cloth subjected to the printing operation. I

It 'iscustomary in conventional textile roller printing to apply arelatively large amount of pressure to both extremities of the rollers, pressing them very tightly against the blanket and lapping. This is done'to ensure the minimizing of any differences in color deposit on the surface of the cloth from edge-to edge which might otherwise result because of the inherent coarseness of the cloth surface. However, this extreme pressure causes a distortion of the rollers, resulting in a bowing effect, there being less pressure on the center surface of the cloth than on the sides. To offset this unequal pressure and permit equal pressure to be exerted across the surface of the cloth, two steps are customarily taken:

The metal cylinder is made with a crowned or convex surface and/or the lapping is put on in such a way that it presents a crowned or convex surface over which the cloth passes.

The degree of crown or convexity of the backing for the cloth attempts to match the concavity ofthe surface of the rolls rotating against it under pressure. The result is under. optimum conditions a curved nip exerting'equ'al pressure at all points.

Gravure paper printing equipment, on the other hand, printson a smooth surface (paper) and consequently does not require the extreme pressure to overcome inherent surface'coarseness in order to provide an even color deposit from edge to edge of the paper. Thusly they naturally use a minimum of pressure on the engraved cylinder and" of" necessity provide an undistorted backing" to thepaper. The result is a straight nipthrough which the paper passes with equal though minimal pressure exerted at all points. I

Our invention uses a cloth having. a smooth fiat'surface. An example of such smoothness is that of a satin cloth, either as the cloth comes from the loom or is so formed smooth by calendering and thus does not require the'curved conventional textile printing nip but allows'the use of the delicate and'more easily controlledstraight type nip of the gravure paper printing technique.

Our'inventio'n does not depend on an emulsion type'of printing 'p'a'ste. Rather many different types may beuscd and of less viscosity.

Reference may here be made to the drawing wherein Figure l is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus;

f Figure-2 is a similar view of a modified form; and

Figure 3-is a similar view of a-diiferent modification.

The main large cylinder comprises an iron roll 10 with a heavy rubber coveringll having a resiliency measur- ;ing 65 .on the Plastometer scale and of good durability and then grinding it to the desired smoothness. The on ,gra'ved rollers 12, 13, 14 apply the 'color and are driven :and press against the rubber cover 11 sufficiently to drive this large roll. If a minimum amount of pressure of the -engraved cylinders 12, 13, 14 against 11 is required, then 1 a separatedriver roller 15, as shown in Figure 2, of the .same dimensions as-the engraved cylinders 12, 13, 14 is pressed tightly against the surface 11 and gear driven ,at the same speed as 12, 13 and 14, which in turn causes the cylinder 10, 11 to rotate at the same peripheral speed ness without sizing or filling in printing finer detail on cloth than is customary, can be off-set by choosing a ,cloth of proper smoothness or by calendering the-cloth"v to provide this. The degree of severity of calend erin'g is .dependent on theparticular cloth-construction but must be sufficient to impart a temporary smooth fiat effect on the cloth surface. This provides a printing surface equally vas smooth and even as satins. The smoothness is temporary, being completely removed during the operations subsequent to printing. No agents are present to make the smoothness in any way permanent. The only agents used to achieve the temporary smoothness are heat, pres- .sure, and/or friction. Moisture may or may not be present in the cloth at the moment of calendering as desired for that-particular construction of cloth.

I In some fabrics such as rayon satins or some sateens, .the cloth may be naturally smooth sufiiciently to not require this calendering as is necessary for the usual cloth .desired to be printed.

The second problem, that of providing for the flat, smooth. even cloth, a backing of relatively equal smoothness and evenness, can be solved in several ways, namely:

As shown in our drawing, by covering the iron cylinder against which the engraved rolls rotate with rubber 11 of the necessary resiliency (for example 65 on the Plastimeterscale) and durability and grinding its surface to the required smoothness and evenness, we dispense with the blanket or back grey completely and run the smooth cloth between the series of nips formed by the rubber surface 11 of the iron cylinder and the engraved rolls.

Altemately, the iron cylinder surface could be covered with any natural or synthetic material which would have or be given the necessary surface smoothness and resiliencyto allow the rotoor photogravure engraving to show on smooth, fiat cloth.

Another form would be to use the surface of the iron cylinder 20 of Figure 3 as a smooth even backing, then passing a smooth faced fibre-rubber, plastic, or synthetic blanket 21 of the proper resiliency over the surface of the iron cylinder 20. The cloth 22 to be printed would pass on the outer surface of the blanket between nips formed by the blanket and .the engraved cylinders 23,. 24,

25 rotating against it.

- In preparing the material which is to be Altemately, the iron cylinder surface 20 could be covered with any natural or synthetic substance that would provide in combination with the blanket used a support for the glazed cloth during printing of the required smoothness, evenness, and resiliency.

Finally, a smooth surfaced natural or synthetic fibre back grey can be substituted for the blanket provided the covering of the iron cylinder in combination with the back grey gives a support for the cloth during printing of the required smoothness, evenness, and resiliency.

The rollers which apply, the printing material or paste are the tubular cylindrical shell textile printing type. The

outer surface of one of these rollers, however, instead of being photoengraved as a textile roller conventionally is with intaglio recesses to a depth of .003-.005 of an inch, which would cause smearing if used on the smooth surface cloth referred to above, is photographically engraved with an intaglio pattern having shallow recesses graduated from one micron to .0025 of an inch, usually not over .001 of an inch, to give continuous tone gradations and provide perspectives as in photography. This proces of engraving is usually referred to as gravure engraving, sometimes referred to as rotogravure or photogravure. The screen used for these rolls may be either a- 150 or 175 line screen.

applied to the cloth and which gives the color to the cloth, we find some are more easily wet with one. solvent and others with a different solvent. For illustration, the vat dyestuff color paste consisting of the solid dyestutf ina water paste form is treated with an organic solvent, such for instanceas mineral spirits or xylol, or any other solvent which will preferentially wet the dyestufi by enveloping it and, as it is insoluble in water, will thus separate it from the water. The water is then removed by centrifuge "or vacuumto .leave thedycstuff mixed with. thesolvent. The dyestuff is then adjusted in the solvent so that there will be from 5% .to 30% solids, 10% to 20% being that most usually used for the results required. This dyestuff paste is then used in an amount by weight of 30%, while a printing vehicle consists of an emulsion of 70%. This printing vehicle emulsion comprises mineral spirits 30-70 parts, methylcellulose 2-10 parts, and water 68-20 parts. A satisfactory emulsion may be taken from these ranges of mineral spirits parts, methylcellulose 3 parts, and water 47 parts.

By adding the dyestufi in thesolvent to this emulsion, we obtain the pigment of the vat dye color in an oil phase so that it becomes wet with oil instead of wetwith water ,to the Saybolt viscometer.

from 6000 to 8000 centipoises, which is much thicker than the printing paste which we use for the fine engraving of this invention. Our paste is in the order of from 200 to 3000 centipoises, which is much thinner than heretofore ever used on cloth.

In some cases the pigment dissolved as heretofore mentioned may be added directly to a printing vehicle consisting of phenol formaldehyde resin which might be modified by rosin and which is known as Amberols" together with soapssuch as triethanolamine stearate or diethanolamine stearate.

Although we have referred to vat colors, other colors may be used according to the material to be printed, for example, pigment colors, acid colors, acetate or dispersed colors, basic colors, sulfur colors, azo colors, or direct colors. Acetate colors for fibers of nylon, acetate, polyester, acrylic, etc., are used wet with oil, in a water in oil system or wet with water, in an oil in water system.

"In the case ofdirect colors we use the colorswet with or 'oif'or spreading of the color.

dissolved in-watenin-a waten'in oil or oil. in water emul- SIOBL.

A. fabric which is. printed with vat colors in this manner is permitted to dry and is then padded in the usual padder with caustic soda and sodium hydrosulphite. The caustic soda is used in a quantity dry of from 2-12 ounces and the sodium hydrosulphite is used in the same amount of 2-12 ounces each per gallon of water. It is usual that these two he used in equal amounts, although one may be used in a greater amount than the other. The quantities given are variable depending upon ease or difficulty of the reduction of the particular color which may be used. Some colors require a greater amount than others.

After padding with the mixture above, the web of material is passed through a steam chamber at a speed so it will remain in the steam. chamber from 5-30 seconds. Usually -20 seconds is suitable for the results desired. This steam' treatment is followed by the usual oxidation and soaping process of Vafprints after ageing.

The above may be used for printing colors on fabrics of different: I11&i$l'lalS,.SllCh. as fibers of silk, cotton, wool, rayon, acetate, nylon, acrylic. orv polyester or mixtures of any of these.

R'eproduction of: detail is a function of fineness of screen, shallowness. of engraving and smoothness of surface being printed.

Maximum detail requires the finest of screens (150-175 lines per inch) with shallow etch engraving (less than .001" depth) and strong color (10-15%.- dyestufi on solids basis. for vat colors). The print color must be in either 1)- arr all solvent system or (2) awater in oil emulsion. An all water system or an oil in water emulsion w ill not give maximum detail. The viscosity of the print cqlor should' be less than 1500 centipoises as measured with a Brookfiel'd: viscometer for maximum detail. A' 150-175 line screen etched to .001" depth will not print out, on. any fabric in complete detail without calenderingthe surface of the cloth before printing.

An 85-100 line screen etched to .002 maximum depth will print on the fiat surface of the normal fiat woven fabric but to getthe maximum color value it is necessary to use the vat color in. pigment form (not mixed with the chemicals normally used in vat color printing) and develop thecolor by the=fiash-ageing technique described herein under Example: 2. This engraving will not give detailon textured surface fabrics without calendering.

The. print color could be made up in an all solvent systema water in oil emulsion-an oil in water emulsion or an all water system.

The viscosity of. the print color should be from 1500- 25005cps. ('centipoisesy.

In patterns with'overlays (one color falling on another wet on the cloth) it is preferable to use an all solvent or water in oil printing vehicle to avoid marking off. By this method the. first color printed is rapidly absorbed by the cloth and the next color falling on the first will be absorbed slower but not slow enough to cause marking In conventional printing with colors made up with starches and gums, patterns with overlays cause considerable trouble due to the double layer of color which is not absorbed by the cloth fast enough to. prevent marking off and spreading out beyond theprinted area before or during the drying process.

Gravure screens of 65 lines etched to .003" or greater depth can be used with conventional colors: and printing equipment on the ordinary fiat surface fabric without calender-lug; Textured surface fabrics. would require calendering to reproduce the pattern properly. The depth ofrshadeis limited to the amount of chemicals that could be carried. in. the vehicle for development of the color. Using conventional colors by this method itis not possible to get the. deep shadesthat could he obtained, by use of finer screens and more shallow etching with all solvent or water in oil printing colors as described above. This engravingcould be printed'with' thevat. color'in,

pigment form in an all solvent system; water in oil OIF-Oil in water emulsion or in an all water system and the color developed by flash ageing. t

The viscosity of the colors wouldbe above 2500 centipoises.

Examples of printing by the described methods I. Cotton cloth of /80 construction 4.00 yards per pound-weight is bleached. as for conventional printing, then is further prepared for our invention by being passed through a nip of a conventional rolling. calender at speed of 20 yards per minute, a pressured-1% tons per linear inch of calender nip, and a temperature of 300 F. so

that the cloth surface becomes. very markedly, though non-permanently, flattened to the extent of being of similar smoothness and evennessas the average. satin surface; the cloth then being passed through the modified printing machine as previously explained, the designbeing'printed on from the rotogravure or photogravure engraved rollers by colors made as in the following illustration:

5 parts of a natural gum are dissolved by boilingv in 30 parts of water, then 30 parts of a 50% potash solution and 5 parts of glycerine are added to the hot gum solution.

Cooling is started and 10 parts of sodium; formaldehyde sulphoxylateare added.

Agitation is continuous and slow throughout the mixing until the paste is cool; At this time the addition is made of 20 parts of commercial Anthraquinone' Vat Orange RRT paste, Color Index #1098.

The paste will be water paste of about 600centipoises viscosity.

Any of the commercially availableV'a't color pastes sold for conventional textile printing can be substituted for the Vat Orange RRT. v I

After printing with our invention, the cloth is passed over steam heated dryingcylinders of conventional design, passed through a relatively air-free, saturated steam atmosphere ager of conventional design operating-at-an interval temperature of 212 FL to 235 F. fora period of from 4-20 minutes followed by immersion in and passage through conventional oxidizing and soaping baths.

II. Cloth preparation, printing, and drying as in-Example #1.

The alkyd resin hereinreferredto maybe prepared by reacting parts, by weight, of glycerol, 200 parts phthalic anhydride and 230 parts linseed oil fatty'acids at 230 centigrade to give an acid number of. less than 9.

The alkyd resin might be made by reacting 220 parts glycerol 300 parts phthalic anhydride and 250 parts castor oil fatty acids;

at 230 centigrade until the acid number is 8. The resin thus produced should then be reduced with equal parts of' a solvent, such as xylol or t'oluol or a hydrogenated petroleum naptha with an evaporation end point of less than 200 centigrade. Any of these solvents could be replaced by pine oil or the" various solvents could be mixed.

The alkyd resin. could likewise be modified with soya oil or other oils and the acid number might be from 5 to 9. We have found the Glyptal 91033 (a General Electric Company product) to be suitable and also Aridye Clear 6214. Also Glyptall 2503, 2520, 2480, and 2.477. Glyptal 2520 is acastor oil modified alkyd. with an. acid 'nurn berof 4 5; 2503 is a soya oil alkyd with an acid as Flash Ageing and is 52520 and 2480 (25%) and an acid number of 4-6 giving a softer film than 2520 and 2480. It is very suitable forourprocess, because of its lubricating character.

Print color formulated as a water in oil emulsion as follows:

3 parts of a clear solvent solution of an alkyd resin pre pared as above are stirred into 8 parts of a mixture of aliphatic naphtha in the distillation range of 300 F. to 400 F. Amsco #46 (American MineralSpirits); then '20 parts of Anthraquiuone Vat Brilliant Violet 4RN Color Index #1104 in a flushed form is stirred into the above to form the color-carrying oil phase. 69 parts of cold water are then slowly added with high speed mixing to the above to form the stable water in oil emulsion of about 1900 centipoises viscosity 2 suitable for printing with our invention.

' After drying, the cloth is passed through a short bath I containing as ingredients 6 oz. caustic soda, and 6 oz. sodium hydrosulphite '1 gallon water squeezed by a set of rubber rollers to retain 80% of its operating at a temperature of 214 F. to 280? F. for a period of time of from 5 to 60 seconds, then into and ,through conventional oxidizing and soaping baths. This technique of Vat color fixation is conventionally known Vat colors are manufactured and marketed to the textile trade as pigments dispersed in and wet by water. ,However, they have been transferred by some manufacturers from their conventional water dispersed state to a solvent or oil dispersed state by techniques common to the pigment trade and known as Flushing for use asinert pigments in paints or occasionally in textile pigment printing applications.

We find that carrying the Vat color pigment in the oil phase of a water in oil emulsion or oil in water emulsion and fixing on the cloth by the Flash Ageing technique provides us with a printing color paste or ink that allows full reproduction of any conventional Roto or photogravure engraving when used in printing with our invention.

All commercially available Vat color pigments that can be flushed are applicable as in this illustration.

' III. Cloth preparation, printing, drying, Flash Ageing,

oxidizing, and Soaping are as in Example II. Color ink make-up as follows:

N. B.-The various resins or bodying agents added to the Flushed Vat color either to aid in the flushing process or to provide a smooth commercially workable color paste generally act as emulsifying agents. When they are absent or are not sufficient to. give a practical emulsion, the

addition of 3-5 parts of diethanolamine-stearic acid condensate Bradsyn APP (Bradford Soap Works) to the oil phase creates a satisfactory emulsion.

IV. Cloth, preparation, printing, and drying are as in Color'ink makc-up'as follows:

described in U. S. Patent 3 parts of an alkyd resin as in Example IIa're stirred into 20 parts of aliphatic naphtha in the distillation range of 300 Fito 400 F. Amsco #46 (American Mineral Spirits) to form the oil phase. 3 parts of Pontamine Fast Yellow NNL conc. 175%, Color Index #814 (E. I. du Pont de Nemours & C0.) and 10 parts of urea are dissolved by boiling in 64 parts of water to form the water phase.

The water phase is then cooled and filtered, then added slowly under high speed mixing to the oil phase to form the complete water in oil. emulsion of about 1450 centipoises viscosity suitable for printing with our invention. After printing and drying, the cloth is aged or steamed as usual for the fixation of direct colors. It is then given the customary washing.

V. Cloth, preparation, printing, drying, Flash Ageing. oxidizing, and Soaping are as in Example II.

Color ink make-up as follows:

The oil phase is added slowly to the water phase under high speed mixing to form a stable oil in water emulsion of about 475 centipoises viscosity suitable for. printing with our invention.

VI. Cloth, preparation, printing, drying, Flash Ageing, oxidizing, and Soaping are as in Example II.

Color ink make-up as follows:

3 parts of vat color Ponsol Golden Orange RRTK powder, Color Index #1098 are ball milled into 37 parts of xylol 20 parts of a phenol-formaldehyde resin such as Am berol ST 137 (Rohm and Haas) and 10 parts of a solvent soluble soap such as Bradsyn APP (Bradford Soap Works) are dissolvedby heat and agitation in 30 parts of xylol The xylol containing the Orange RRTK is then added to the xylol containing the resin and soap to give an all solvent type ink of about 1275 centipoises viscosity suitable for printing with our invention. VII. Example of a Direct Color on Rayon A viscose rayon fabric previously calendered to give the required degree of smoothness of surface may be printed with a direct color made up as the following example.

parts total of color paste readyto print."

After printing and drying,.the cloth issteained 8-10 minutes to fix the color and isthenwashed nd fini h as usual for this cloth.

9 VIII. Example of .a Pigment Color onv Cotton A cotton fabric prepared for printing by calendering to give the required degree of surface smoothness may beprinted with Pigment colors made up according to the following example The ethyl cellulose can be of a type to give a viscosity of approximately 500 centipoises in the finished color or the viscosity can be controlled to approximately 500 by varying the amount of ethyl cellulose solution added and making up to 100 with solvent.

After printing, the cloth is dried, cured at 280 F. five minutes, and then washed and finished in the usual manner.

IX. Example of a Sulphur Color on Cotton A cotton fabric which has been calendered to give the required smooth surface may be printed with a sulphur color prepared as follows:

35 parts of So-Dye-Co Printing Green SP Paste (Southern Dyestuff Co.) is mixed with 65 parts of a gum Karaya solution of such strength as to give a final viscosity of 500 centipoises to give 100 parts total of color paste ready to print.

After printing and drying, the cloth is padded through a solution of 4 oz. per gal. sodium hydrosulphite and 4 oz. per gal. caustic soda and, while still wet, steamed at 220-280 F. for 10-30 seconds, then washed, soaped, and finished as usual.

X. Example of an Acid color printed on silk previously prepared to the required degree of surface smoothness 10 parts of Acid Blue 83 Color Index No. 42660 are pasted with 5 parts of resorcine, then further mixed with 30 parts of hot water in which parts of urea and 2 parts of ammonia water 28% has been previously dissolved. 43 parts of a gum Karaya solution of such strength as to give a final viscosity of 500 centipoises is then added to give 100 parts total of color paste ready to print.

After the printing and drying, the silk is steamed for 8 to 10 minutes in a Mather Platt ager and is then washed and finished as usual for the cloth.

XI. Example of a Dispersed Color on Acetate An Acetate fabric previously prepared to the required degree of smoothness may be printed with dispersed color made up as follows:

10 parts of Disperse Blue 1 Color Index No. 64500 are pasted with 10 parts of hot water, then further mixed with parts of boiling water in which 5 parts of urea have been previously dissolved 50 parts of a gum Karaya solution of such strength as to give a final viscosity of 500 centipoises is then added to give 100 parts total of color paste ready to print.

I0 After theprinting, the cloth is'dried, steamed for! to 10 minutes, washed, and finished in theusual: manner. The following grouping of examples may also be'madc; The method of makeup for all may be any one ofi'the following:

(1) Oil in water emulsion-color in oil (2) Oil in water emulsion-color in water (3) Water in oil emulsion-color in oil (4) Water in oil emulsion-color in water (5) All water-color in water (6) All solvent-color in solvent Color Method of Fixing Fiber printed on (a) Thermoplastic resins Pigmentand/or All fibers.

(b) Thcrmosctting reslns o g a zlt'zatlnsltaneg:

an cam. Vat (b)StAcid Reduction and gz gii fig gg fggigi eam tate (Arnel), acrylic (Cr- (C) Solid Solution lon), polyester (Dacron). Sulphur--." Alkaline reduction and Cotton, Silk, Wool, regener' team. ated cellulose (Bemberg,

Viscose). Cotton, Silk, Wool, Nylon, (a) Steam with or without regenerated cellulose (Benn ovcrpadding or addition berg, Viscose), cellulose Direct of extra Chemicals in diacetate(Acetate),acrylic print paste. (Orlon), polyester (Dac- (b) Solid solution ron), polyacrylic (Acrilan), cellulose triacetate (Arnel). Acid Above as for Direct Cotton, Silk, Wool, Nylon,

regenerated cellulose (B8111- berg, Viscose), cellulose diacetate (Acetate), acrylic (Orion), polyester (Dacron). Dispersed... Solid solution with or Nylon, cellulose diacetate without carrier. (Acetate), acrylic (Orion),

polyester (Dacron).

For each fabric there is a range of temperatures,'pressures, and speeds of calendering to achieve the requisite flatness and evenness of surface for printing with our invention that depends on construction and on fiber used. (E. g. the thermoplastic synthetic fibers can naturally not be subjected to temperatures that will melt them.)

Additionally, for each fabric and fiber there are applicable groups of colors, but each commercially available color can be introduced into one or more of the ink examples with only minor or no modification of ink makeup procedure, printed by our invention on the cloth on which it is normally conventionally used and fixed by conventional means.

We claim:

1. In the process of printing, providing a single ply of woven cloth, calendering the cloth with suflicient pressure to provide a non-permanent smooth surface and thereafter printing by continuously rolling in direct contact with said smooth surface a cylindrical surface having an intaglio engraved photogravure reproduced pattern of a depth of from one micron to .003 of an inch carrying in its depressions a printing paste of from 200 to 3000 centipoises viscosity.

2. In the process of claim 1 wherein the cloth is backed up by a rotating resilient surface.

3. The process claimed in claim 1, wherein the backing comprises a resilient surface which is modified by a smooth surfaced synthetic film to collect and remove excess printing material.

4. In the process of claim 1 wherein the calendering is done in the absence of a filling in the cloth.

5. The process claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing surface is etched with a 150-l75 line screen to a depth less than .001, the printing paste has a viscosity of less than 1500 centipoises and is formed by a strong color carried in an all-solvent system or a water-in-oil emulsion.

6. In the process of claim 1 wherein the printing paste is an emulsion of water and oil and the color comprises 20% of a 530% vat color in flushed form and a 1-6% alkyd resin, 530% mineral spirits, and the balance to water.

11 '12 1 7. In-the'proeess of claim 1 wherein the printing paste References Cited in the file of this patent is an emulsion of water and oil and the color comprises 30% of a 5-30% solid vat color pigment and printing UNITED STATES PATENTS vehicles 70% comprising mineral spirits 30-70, methyln 454,854 Cochran June 30, 1891 cellulose 2-10, water 68-20 parts by Weight. 6' 1,135,043 Neuberger Apr. 13, 1915 8. In the process of claim 1 wherein the printing paste 2,175,051 Bromley Oct. 3, 1939 is an emulsion of water-and oil and the color is a vat 2,202,283, Cassel May 28, 1940 color in the oil phasevand fixation of the color is bad after 2,264,475 Learnard Dec. 2, 1941 printing. 2,288,992 Cassel July 7, 1942 9. In the process of claim 8 wherein the fixation is by 10 2,361,454 Cassel Oct. 31, 1944 padding with sodium hydroxide 2 to 12 ounces sodium 2,370,461 Heherlein Feb. 27, 1945 hydrosulfite 2 to 12 ounces per gallon of water. 2,587,905 Saville Mar. 4, 1952 10. The process of claim 8 followed before drying by 2,594,899 Fordemwalt Apr. 29, 1952 ageing; I 2,597,281 Borstelmann May 20, 1952 

1. IN THE PROCESS OF PRINTING, PROVIDING A SINGLE PLY OF WOVEN CLOTH, CALENDERING THE CLOTH WITH SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO PROVIDE A NON-PERMANENT SMOOTH SURFACE AND THEREAFTER PRINTING BY CONTINUOUSLY ROLLING IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH SAID SMOOTH SURFACE A CYLINDRICAL SURFACE HAVING AN INTAGLIO ENGRAVEL PHOTOGRAVURE REPRODUCED PATTERN OF A DEPTH OF FROM ONE MICRON TO .003 OF AN INCH CARRYING IN ITS DEPRESSIONS A PRINTING PASTE OF FROM 200 TO 3000 CENTIPOISES VISCOSITY. 